Question for FIBA officials

[Jimgolf]

One of the things that has amused me during the FIBA World Championships has been the athletes' reactions to calls by officials. It's clear that they want to say something, but they many times are dealing with an official from a different country. It seems like staring is the usual form of comment.

I'm just curious how FIBA officials deal with comments from players who do not share their native tongue. Do you go by the player's tone ("Them sounds like fightin' words to me!"), or is knowledge of international invective one of the job requirements to get these multi-national games?

[SmokeEater]

Wait for the international words of displeasure, its the same in any language and everyone understands the meaning...... F.U.

j/k

[crazy voyager]

something like that yes

I belive all referees are required to speak english (there is a rule stating that during international games when explanations are required english shall be spoken). But I don't know really, I'm far far far far far from WC level

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by crazy voyager

something like that yes

I belive all referees are required to speak english (there is a rule stating that during international games when explanations are required english shall be spoken).

Good thing they don't play FIBA rules in California, otherwise we'd have another big protest on our hands.

[Luis]

English is the official language of FIBA games, many players from different countries could say a little bit, and some might just use body language to express what they wanna say, ha!

[NICK]

You will find that there are some Fiba officials who do not speak any English at all and yet they are allowed to referee in Internationals. I completely disregard any comments made to me by foreign players, although I do keep an eye on their body language when they try talking to me, cheers.

[gazou]

Last year we invited to our meeting Nancy Éthier who is a FIBA ref from Canada. She explained that she often could not do a pre game since some referees could not communicate in english.